Here's an interesting stat... Total time in lead Game 1*: Rockets 36:32 vs Portland 5:52 (of 48 total minutes) Game 2: Rockets 21:08 vs Portland 11:45 (of 48 total minutes) Game 3*: Rockets 36:48 vs Portland 4:53 (of 48 total minutes) Game 4*: Rockets 40:00 vs Portland 5:47 (of 48 total minutes) Game 5: Rockets 41:06 vs Portland 4:22 (of 48 total minutes) *- this number does not include OT Just going by the numbers the Rockets have had the lead for a majority of these games played (so much for that back in forth notion). In fact Portland only had a double digit lead once the whole series, while we have been up 10+ multiple times each game. Like numerous times in the season, any time we got up 10 or more, and got comfortable. More specifically, we failed to answer Portland's 4th quarter runs, which led to several OT games (and a couple disappointing losses). The equalizer in this series has been the 4th quarter. In all but one game (game 2) we had the lead going into the 4th. Yet in all but one game (game 5) we lost the fourth quarter. Game 5 was the first time we answer the Blazer run in the 4th quarter and we see the results, and that will be our blueprint for closing out this series (and of course take care of the ball at the end of the game).
Great post. I have always emphasized. This series exposes Rox' lack of perimeter defense instead of anything else. Rox can't hold a lead in the 4th quarter.
For us our offense affects our defense. Unfortunately this series have magnified that problem. We get a lead, get comfortable, and then we stop doing what we did to get that lead in the first place. In the meantime Portland hitting clutch shot after clutch shot. NO doubt that has a mental affect on us. But last game they cut it to a little as one and we led the ENTIRE 4th quarter. In fact the didn't score for the last 3:39. So hopefully we can show up like that tonight.
It would be nice if the Rockets had the capability to play there style of ball and jump out to leads, all while having the ability to play Memphis ball the rest of the way. When Memphis gets those 8 point leads, they fell like 20 point games. I am under the impression are best method is to just jump out the gates, than slow it down and feed Dwight, who is absolutely destroying Portland's front court.
